Denver's five biggest deals

In the wake of the Nuggets' trade for Allen Iverson, Denver Post staff writer Patrick Saunders takes a shot at picking the five most important trades in Denver sports history:

1. Mr. Elway comes to town (1983)

In the spring of 1983, Stanford quarterback John Elway, the most coveted player in the NFL draft, vowed he wouldn't play for Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay or coach Frank Kush. But the Colts took a chance and made Elway the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Finally convinced that Elway wouldn't play for them, the Colts traded Elway's rights to the Broncos in exchange for the rights to guard Chris Hinton, the Broncos' first-round pick in 1984 (which became Maryland guard Ron Solt), quarterback Mark Herrmann and $1 million the cash-strapped Colts received in guaranteed revenues from preseason games at Mile High Stadium in 1984 and 1985.

The deal was worked out in the coffee shop at the Marriott Hotel at Interstate 25 and Hampden Avenue.

John Beake, a Broncos executive who helped engineer the deal, said later: "In all honesty, it was a great moment in sports history. There should probably be a plaque in that Marriott coffee shop to commemorate the event."

Elway signed a five-year, $5 million contract with the Broncos, at the time the biggest deal in NFL history. Elway led the Broncos to five Super Bowls, winning twice, and became a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

2. Canadian Roy-alty (1995)

In what might be the most lopsided trade in NHL history, the Avalanche acquired goalie Patrick Roy and Mike Keane from the Montreal Canadiens for three forgotten players - Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko. Roy, the longtime Montreal goaltender, already had won two Stanley Cups with the Canadiens, earning him the moniker "Saint Patrick." The trade was put in motion in late November at the Montreal Forum in a game between the Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings. Roy was pulled from the game after surrendering nine goals in less than two periods. And after Roy glared at Canadiens coach Mario Tremblay, he then walked over to Canadiens president Ronald Corey and said, "That's my last game in Montreal."

And it was. Roy went on the win two Stanley Cups with the Avs and the franchise sold out every home game he played in. When he retired in 2003, he was the NHL's all-time leader in wins with 551. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this year.

3. Skywalker touches down in the Mile High City (1975)

It's difficult to overstate how excited Colorado sports fans were in 1975 when the Nuggets, about to begin their final season in the ABA, turned a deal that brought David Thompson to town. Denver sent Mack Calvin, Mike Green and Jan van Breda Kolff to the Virginia Squires for D.T.'s draft rights and George Irvine. Some would argue that the presence of Thompson, who led North Carolina State to the 1974 NCAA title, and Julius Erving hastened the merger with the NBA.

4. Bailey is a Champ (2004)

Clinton Portis was a star running back with the Broncos, rushing for 1,591 yards in 2003. But when he and agent Drew Rosenhaus started making contract demands and talking holdout, the Broncos pulled off one of the biggest, most expensive trades in NFL history. The Broncos shipped Portis to Washington in exchange for perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round draft pick. That draft pick turned out to be Tatum Bell, the Broncos' current starting running back.

Bailey and the Broncos agreed to a seven-year, $63 million contract that included an $18 million signing bonus. The Redskins gave Portis an eight-year, $50.5 million contract that included $17 million worth of bonuses.

Bailey helped lead the Broncos to the AFC title game last season and Tuesday he was named a Pro Bowl starter for the seventh time in his eight-year career. Bailey shares the NFL lead with eight interceptions, tying a career high he set in 2005.

5. The forgotten quarterback (1977)

Believe it or not, there was another quarterback who led the Broncos to a Super Bowl. His name was Craig Morton, a superstar in college at California, but considered something of a bust in the NFL with the Cowboys and Giants. In 1977, new Broncos coach Red Miller sent much-maligned quarterback Steve Ramsey and a fifth-round 1978 draft pick (Brian DeRoo) to the Giants in exchange for Morton. He promptly led the Broncos to a 12-2 record in 1977 when Broncomania reached its zenith. On Jan. 1, 1978, against doctors' orders, a black-and-blue Morton left his hospital bed and led the Broncos to a 20-17 victory over the Raiders in the AFC championship game and into their first Super Bowl.

Top Nuggets trades

July 15, 1975: While in ABA, acquired George Irvine and draft rights to David Thompson from Virginia for Mack Calvin, Mike Green and Jan van Breda Kolff.

Sept. 19, 1975: While in ABA, acquired Dan Issel from Baltimore for Dave Robisch and $500,000.

Feb 1, 1980: Acquired Alex English and a first-round pick in 1980 (Carl Nicks) from Indiana for George McGinnis.

One-day event to run slide down University HillIt's not quite the alternative mode of transportation that Boulder's used to, but, for one day this summer, residents will be able to traverse several city blocks atop inflatable tubes.

DETROIT (AP) — In a story March 27 about a 'Little Syria' exhibit going to Ellis Island, The Associated Press, due to incorrect information from the Arab American National Museum, erroneously reported the date the exhibit will open. Full Story